To Whom Much is Given : A Grayson Goodman Novel - Goodman Chronicles: Book One

2 / Great Mountains and Hills

(Present Day, outside of the city of Philadelphia)

As Pennsylvania State Senator Charles O'Donnell, United States Ambassador to Haiti prepares for his trip Haiti he grabs the remote control from his living room coach and turns on the news. "This is Alicia Gardner of Philadelphia Network News. New opportunities have come to our neighbor to the south in the Caribbean, the Republic of Haiti. Tourism is making a comeback and just days ago former President Bill Clinton, joined the CEO of the number one cell phone service provider, Digicel in Haiti along with the President of Haiti, Michel Martelly for a red-ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Marriott Hotel that's opened up in Port-au-Prince, this will bring jobs to people of Haiti and much more. After the break, we will tell you what it means for the United States."

Charles does not want to miss his flight to land of his mother's birth so he rushes with a heaping bite of his bagel with his favorite strawberry jam spread. He takes an enormous gulp of orange juice. After swallowing his "breakfast of champions", he tells his wife Amy and son, Justin, "I'm going on a trip to Haiti and looking forward to seeing how far the country has come from the massively devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010, five years ago. With Haiti's president and the work that the former prime minister has done, investing in the Haiti's infrastructure, reinvigorating interest in tourism, things appear to be moving in a positive direction for the Caribbean nation that may bode well for us here, in the United States," Charles continues to say right before taking the last gulp of his orange juice.

Charles's relationship with Haiti runs deep. His father, Antoine O'Donnell, a World War Two veteran decided to move to Haiti after the war. That is where he met his wife Charlotte. In 1957 two years after Francoise Duvalier became the president of Haiti. Antoine and Charlotte moved to the Philadelphia because the island once the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean was losing it's prestigious aurora. A few years later Charles O'Donnell was born.

In his bright high-pitch voice Charles's five-year-old son, Justin says, "Wasn't La me're (grandmother) born in Haiti? Charles kneels in front of him, rubs his cheek and smiles, "Justin, you look like your beautiful grandmother. Yes, La me're was born in Haiti." Justin's smile turned upside down, he asked, "When are you coming back, Daddy?" "Yes, honey," his wife Amy adds, "When should we expect you home?" Charles responded, "I'll be back in two weeks. I am going to meet with the Ministry of Tourism and the Security of Education to see how Haiti and the United State can establish a mutually beneficial relationship that will add value to both countries."

Amy says to Charles in an anxious voice, "I read stories every day that there is a constant protest in the streets of Haiti. Please be very careful, honey. Justin and I don't want anything to happen to you. We love you very much." Amy's eyes tell a different story. Charles responds to Amy's concerns. "Amy, right now Haiti is the least violent country in the Caribbean. I don't expect any trouble, honey nor should you."

Charles gave a vibrant brief history about Haiti to Amy and his son Justin, like his mother Charlotte gav him when he was young. "Haitians are the only enslaved group of people to ever free themselves from slavery." Rubbing on his son head Charles continued, "I am an America, Justin with Irish and Haitian descent and proud of all of the bloodlines that run through me as you should too Justin. We defeated France and helped other nations like Venezuela, Peru, and parts of Columbia and Greece to free their people."

Charles continued, "Haitians fought against colonialism like we did here in the United State when we fought against the United Kingdom for our freedom. The Haitian people will always remind its government what makes Haiti different from every nation in the world. So, honey, Haitians will always protest an administration they feel that doesn't represent them well."

Charles proudly tells his wife and son, "Did you know, honey, because of the Haitian Revolution, a weakened France sold the Louisiana Purchase for pennies to the United States, which literally doubled our land, establishing the heartland of America. Unfortunately, Haiti's woes didn't end there." With a curved eyebrow and a grin on her face, Amy interrupted Charles. "Thank you, professor O'Donnell' for the Haiti 101 crash course." Waving her right hand towards the door, "Tell us more about Haiti when you come back." Justin, with a smile on his face looked at his mom and dad and said, "Professor Dad, thank you for the class."

Charles smiled and added, "Sadly, during Thomas Jefferson administration, we in the United States still had slaves and because of that, we didn't recognize or even trade with Haiti, nor did France or any of the other super powers at that time. Haiti was forced to pay France the modern equivalent of twenty-one billion dollars in 1838 to be paid over thirty years to payback former plantation owners who had lost their human property. During that time and it still continues today, embargoes against Haiti that existed for almost two hundred years definitely devastated the Haitian economy, once known as the "Pearl of the Antilles."

As part of the Senate Foreign relations committee, Charles travels to Haiti and other parts of the Caribbean more than the average elected official, which makes his young son and wife miss him dearly. There is another issue that has caused familial problems, however, he's gotten help from Gamblers Anonymous and hasn't fall into his addictive behavior of gambling in quite some time now. With 2016 around the corner and an election year, Senator Charles O'Donnell of Pennsylvania is up for re-election so he has a lot on his mind. Charles hopes that the trip to the Republic of Haiti can rejuvenate his soul and prepare him for the contact sport of American politics.

A loud and piercing Honk, Honk came from outside of his beautiful home. Charles says to his wife, "Honey, I've got to go. The driver is waiting for me. My luggage is already in the trunk. I don't want to miss my flight." Amy gives her husband a warm embrace and a kiss on the lips to match. Justin, looking up at his mom and dad says, "eww.

Charles takes a moment. At eye-to-eye level with Justin, he hugs and then kisses him on the top of the head, and says, "You and mommy take care of each other while I'm gone, ok. I love you very much, Justin." Charles looks at his wife in her eyes and says, "I love you, too, Amy."

As he gets closer to the door, Senator Charles grabs his cell phone along with his sleek gold-plated Movado bold titanium watch, that his wife purchased for him last Christmas. He quickly puts on the watch on his left wrist and places the cell phone in the right pocket of his trousers. He faces the kitchen door that and hastily says, "I've got to go!"

Justin and Amy both stop at the door, and watch him safely get into the car. Justin, with a sad face solemnly, waves goodbye. Charles smiles and waves back. Amy put three fingers on her lips and gesture a kiss as tears slowly rolled down her round cheeks. Deep down inside Amy feels that something is not right about this trip to Haiti that Charles is going to, but she does not say anything. As the car drives, away Amy begins waving goodbye and mouths "I love you."

The driver greets Charles and says, "Good morning, Senator. I am your driver to the airport. Sorry, I honked. However, it was just a friendly reminder that I had arrived. I am sure we'll make it to the airport on time." Charles responded in a calm manner, "No worries, your honking made me move a bit quicker."

Charles asked the driver, "Do you want to bet five hundred dollars that I-76 is backed up and I will miss my flight?" The driver responded saying, "I am sure we will be there just in time, plus I am not a betting man." The senator smirked and said in a joking manner, "Let's hope we make it to the airport or else I will be five hundred dollars richer."

Charles arrived at the Philadelphia Airport two hours before his scheduled flight. The driver helped Charles with his luggage. "Bonne Voyage", as he tipped his hat to Senator O'Donnell wishing him a safe journey.